Long-term health consequences of PCOS

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, insulin resistance/diabetes and/or uterine pathology appears to be increased in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), although more outcome studies are necessary to determine incidence. Data pertaining to some of the potential long-term health consequences associated with PCOS are summarized. Medline, Current Contents and PubMed were searched for studies from the time of our original interest in this issue in 1980 to the present. The review is limited to published human data. The current literature indicate that women with this syndrome cluster risk factors for premature morbidity and mortality. Large multi-site co-operative studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term health outcomes.